Snoring and Sleep Apnea Treatment

Snoring is the sound of partially obstructed breathing during sleep.

Treatment can include:

  • Weight loss
  • Surgical correction
  • dental appliances

Dr. Nix and his staff can assist you in evaluation of your snoring and help you distinguish between common snoring and obstructive sleep apnea.

While snoring can be harmless, it may also be a sign of a more serious condition known as Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). When Obstructive Sleep Apnea occurs, the tongue and soft palate collapse onto the back of the throat and completely block the opening which restricts the flow of oxygen. Althouth the effects of sleep apnea can be very serious and life-shortening, the majority of people with the condition are unaware of it. Special sleep testing techniques are reguired to determine the severity of the condition, and whether snoring is simply an annoying sound, or a telltale sign of something dangerous.

The combination of low oxygen levels and fragmented sleep are the major contributors to most of the ill that the sleep apnea patient suffers. In addition to excessive daytime sleepiness, studies show that sleep apnea patients are much more likely to suffer from heart problems such as heart attack, congestive heart failure, high blood pressure, as well as, strokes and a higher incidence of work related and driving related accidents.

Once a diagnosis of OSA is made then Treatment options include:

  • air masks called Continuous Positive Air Pressure or CPAP
  • surgery
  • dental appliances

CPAP is still the gold standard for treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea. However as more people are diagnosed with OSA, we are discovering a significant number of patients are CPAP Intolerant or unable to handle wearing the CPAP mask while sleeping.

The surgery correction of the airway to open the throat during sleep is not always successful (latest studies success rate at only 50%) and many will require more sugery over time.  

Those individuals who choose not to have surgical correction and those who are CPAP intolerant are great candidates for a special dental appliance that keeps the airway open while sleeping. Dental Sleep Apnea Appliances have a compliance rate higher that the CPAP and surgery.

Dr. Nix and his team at Southwest Nebraska Dental Center are aware of the tremendous need for treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea, and have the capability of helping screen, refer for proper diagnosis, and treat with dental appliances those patients who snore and may have OSA. 

Dr Nix is a founding member of Dentists for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (DOSA), an organization of dentists around the country who are commited to helping educate, refer for proper diagnosis and treat their potential OSA patients. Dr. Nix is one of a growing number of dentists who have received advanced education and training in treating Obstructive Sleep Apnea.    

Call today at 800-647-5038 for an appointment.